It may be small but Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. With a staggering 29 national parks, the Central American nation’s rugged topography, dense rainforests and steaming volcanoes give way to mangrove swamps and miles of secluded tropical beach. These lush, undisturbed landscapes thrum with exotic wildlife, such as howler monkeys and quetzal birds, and are heavily protected. In fact, Costa Rica is lauded for its ecological efforts, receiving the UN’s highest environmental honour, the Champions of the Earth award, in 2019 for ambitious climate-change policies and its role in protecting nature, with plans to become carbon-neutral by 2050. Eco-conscious travellers can rest assured that many of the country’s hotels, adventure activities, reserves and wellness retreats operate to similar high sustainable standards. From its welcoming culture to the misty cloud forests of Monteverde, here are five reasons to visit Costa Rica when we can travel again.